Dermot Desmond and Celtic board face uncomfortable truth in new fan research

New Ipsos research on fan loyalty highlights that football supporters do not act like typical consumers, providing context to ongoing tensions between Celtic fans, principal shareholder Dermot Desmond, and the club board. The survey found that only 13% of fans across the top five English and Welsh divisions would support another team if their club dissolved, underscoring deep-rooted loyalty that persists regardless of frustration with leadership.

Celtic supporters continue to express criticism over the board's communication and fan engagement, despite the club's 2025 annual report describing the fanbase as a valuable asset. The Celtic Fans Collective recently scrutinized chief executive Michael Nicholson over previous commitments and voiced frustration over the rollout of Celtic Connect without consulting their own Fan Advisory Board proposal.